If you have been involved in a psychopathic entanglement, there is a good chance that you have suffered from the relationship and might be haunted by your experience with a psychopath that can ruin any chance of having a “normal” relationship again.
Once you’ve been victimized by a psychopath and suffered the effects of such an encounter, it can leave you damaged and in fear of the possibility of being conned and destroyed by another person. You may develop knee-jerk reactions to words, phrases, circumstances, and otherwise normal human reactions because these were the methods utilized by the psychopath to wear down your defenses.
This is a normal reaction of your subconscious to protect yourself, and its worked marvelously for millions of years, keeping us from being eaten by everything from dinosaurs to wildlife. Once you have encountered a dangerous situation, the brain maps out all the details and initiates warning signs powered by a combination of fear and courage to avoid a similar encounter and preserve your life. This is our basic survival instinct.
In modern society, there are no dinosaurs or saber-toothed tigers to fear but there are different kinds of predators lurking among us, like psychopaths. Fortunately, most of the population will never experience what it is like to be victimized by a predatory psychopath. This is unfortunate for you if you are a psychopath’s victim because it is so hard for a non-victim to comprehend what it might be like to walk a mile in your shoes.
So, your fear, your caution, warnings, and red flags which have been put in place for your survival were noticed or voiced and reached the attention of a non-victim, there could be no understanding of such a haunting and your reaction(s) will appear to be unjustified. Victims of psychopaths are often referred to as “over-reacting.” Because to most people, nothing or no one is that bad.
Granted, this bold majority does recognize the threat of an infinitesimally small segment of psychopaths who are serial killers and are almost celebrated for being so bold, and they like to see them punished for their wicked ways, but clearly, you were not killed, and you may not have experienced any physical abuse, and if you were physically abused, there may be no apparent signs of such abuse now, so, “what is there to be afraid of?”
You cannot judge someone by their ignorance, they only know what they know, and you should never wish a predatory psychopath encounter on someone else, just so that they can have an understanding of what it might be like. You (and all of us) long to be understood, and you want to be heard and have hope that there is a chance to achieve wellness, safety, and security. But when you are being haunted by your experience with a psychopath, it can be overwhelming and you can find yourself withdrawing from social interactions, from ordinary life, and this can develop into a chronic form of post-traumatic stress disorder.
It would be no surprise to find yourself having sleepless nights, reliving all the details, and ruminating over what happened, and spending countless hours trying to ferret out all the details in an effort to avoid this kind of exposure and pain again.
If other people knew (I mean really knew) what you had gone through, they would not blame you for being in a state of high alert (which is extremely exhausting), which makes you a little (or overly) jumpy, displaying signs of withdrawal, less interactive in social environments, and becoming increasingly more suspicious of other people.
Not unlike military personnel returning from war. A normal citizen cannot conceive what a soldier on the front lines might have experienced when involved in military action. Most of us have no concept of what it might be like, and we are protected from exposure to these details by the media and state department(s).
It is advised that you find someone to associate with, like a group of victims of psychopaths who understand what you are going through, as well as someone you can work with, like a coach or counselor who has experience dealing with victims of psychopaths.
Left unresolved, your victimization by a predatory psychopath can lead to an increased risk of disease, depression, and potential suicidal ideation.
Take care of yourself, and do not let this psycho have any more control of your life. The best revenge is to live an amazing life. And trust me, there is one just ahead waiting for you.
It is not uncommon for victims of predatory psychopaths to experience long-lasting emotional and psychological effects, including feelings of trauma, depression, anxiety, and loss of self-esteem. It is important to seek professional support to help cope with these experiences and feelings.
One approach to dealing with haunting memories and feelings of victimization is through therapy. A trained therapist can provide a safe and supportive environment to process and work through these experiences and can help develop coping strategies and techniques to manage difficult emotions.
In addition to therapy, there are also support groups and online forums where survivors of psychopathic abuse can connect with others who have had similar experiences. These communities can provide a sense of validation and understanding and can be a helpful source of support and advice.
It is important to prioritize self-care and self-compassion during the healing process. This may involve engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation, such as exercise, mindfulness, and creative pursuits. It can also be helpful to practice self-compassion, which involves treating oneself with the same kindness, care, and understanding that one would offer to a close friend or loved one.
Remember that healing from the effects of psychopathic abuse is a process, and it may take time and effort to fully recover. However, with the right support and resources, it is possible to regain a sense of well-being and move forward in life.